The Perfect Date (Part 2)

 7.1 min read

In Part 1 of this series, we clearly established why dates stand proudly as a genuine superfood and it is for this reason we are absolutely in love with it. We continue paying homage to this great love in part two of this series.  In Part One, aside from finding out that dates have the highest concentration of polyphenols among dried fruits, it is rich in fibers, vitamins and minerals. Polyphenols by the way are generally involved in defense against ultraviolet radiation or aggression of pathogens. We also discussed which dates are best for diabetics and which ones are great for cooking and pre-work-out.

But there’s more to this wrinkly old fruit! Married couples may want to consistently eat dates for several reasons. Now how do you find out which dates are which when you’re shopping? Find out below.

Other Health Benefits of DATES

Sexual Stamina

In a study conducted by Shiraz University, there was an increase in estradiol and testosterone (hormones that control that sexual characteristics of a person) in subjects treated with date palm pollen. DPP consumption improved sperm count, motility, morphology, and DNA quality of sperm. [6]

Healthy Pregnancy

A randomized controlled trial was done to investigate the dates consumption in late pregnancy. Dates consumption reduced the need for labour augmentation with oxytocin but did not expedite the onset of labour. Therefore, dates consumption in late pregnancy is a safe supplement to be considered as it reduced the need for labour intervention without any adverse effect on the mother and child. [7]

Which date is which?

Dates are available year round, but because they are harvested in fall and early winter, they’re freshest then. There are three main categories of dates: soft, semisoft, and dry.

Dry dates, or bread dates, are not dates that have been deliberately dehydrated, as is the case with other kinds of dried fruits. Instead, they simply contain relatively little moisture when ripe.

Here are some varieties of dates you may find in the stores or at farmers’ markets.

•  Barhi dates:Named for the hot Arabic winds called “Barh,” these dates are medium-sized, thin-skinned fruit with soft, tender flesh and a syrupy flavor.

 https://nuts.com/driedfruit/dates/barhi.html

 

• Deglet Noor dates:A semisoft date, deglet noor is the variety most often available and accounts for 95 percent of U.S. production. It has firm flesh and a color range from light red to amber.

https://www.sunnylandfarms.com/product/deglet-noor-dates/

 

• Halawy dates:These soft dates are thick-fleshed, caramely, and sweet. Their appearance is wrinkled and the skin ranges from yellow to amber.

https://something-better-natural-foods.myshopify.com/products/dates-deglet-halawy-with-pit-organic 

• Khadrawy dates: Similar to the Halawys, these soft dates have a caramel-like texture and sweet flavor.

http://casapons.ae/product/khadrawy-dates/

• Medjool dates: These semisoft dates, sometimes called the Cadillac of dates, are sweet, moist, meaty, and firm-textured.

https://www.sunnylandfarms.com/product/medjhul-dates-2/

 

• Thoory dates: This is a dry date with firm skin and chewy flesh.

http://molvray.com/photos/picture.php?/16160/category/11

 

• Zahidi dates: The Zahidi, a semisoft date, is called “Nobility.” It has a large seed and crunchy fibrous flesh, and is often processed for sliced dates and date sugar products.

 

https://www.greendiamond.co/zahidi-dates/zahedi-dates/

 

• The Chinese date, or jujube, is neither a variety of date nor a member of the same botanical family. It does, however, strongly resemble a true date in color and texture, and is used in much the same way. Unlike true dates, fresh Chinese dates are an excellent source of vitamin C: 2 ounces provide 43 percent of the RDA. Dried jujubes have less vitamin C, but, as with other dried fruit, there is a higher concentration of nutrients, including riboflavin, thiamin, iron, and potassium. [8]

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Chinese-red-Jujube-xinjiang-jujube-Dried-fruit-250g-Green-nature-food-Free-shipping/32310582164.html

 

Dates are just a few of the many foods considered to be healthy in the world. It is a wonderful snack; can be used as a special ingredient in mouthwatering desserts, it is also a natural sugar replacement, and a culinary complement. That’s why you see it every time in our recipes! Dates’ remarkable health benefits might be the next big thing in improving health.  It may be small in size but it packs a heck of a punch in terms of nutritional goodness and for all these reasons we are forever in love with our perfect DATE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

 

1. Paul Lunde. A History of Dates. Aramco World Magazine Volume 29, Number 2. Copyright 2015. http://archive.aramcoworld.com/issue/197802/ a.history. of. dates.htm

 

2. Bochi, Rahaf Al. The Many Health Benefits of Dates. Food & Nutrition Magazine. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. January 19, 2018. https://foodandnutrition.org/blogs/stone-soup/many-health-benefits-dates/

 

3. Juma M Alkaabi,¹Bayan Al-Dabbagh,¹ Shakeel Ahmad,² Hussein F Saadi,¹ Salah Gariballa,¹ and Mustafa Al Ghazali ^. Glycemic indices of five varieties of dates in healthy and diabetic subjects. S. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Nutr J. 2011; 10: 59. Published online 2011 May 28. doi:  10.1186/1475-2891-10-59. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3112406/

 

4. Mohamed Ali Al-Farsi & Chang Yong Lee. Nutritonal and Functional Properties of Dates: A Review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition Journal. Volume 48, 2008- Issue 10. Published 23 Oct 2008. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/figure/10.1080/10408390701724264?scroll=top&needAccess=true

 

5. Vinson JA, Zubik L, Bose P, Samman N, Proch J. Dried fruits: excellent in vitro and in vivo antioxidants. S. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. J Am Coll Nutr.2005 Feb;24(1):44-50. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15670984

 

6. Bahmanpour, T. Talaei, Z. Vojdani, M.R. Panjehshahin,1 A. Poostpasand, S. Zareei, M. Ghaeminia. Effect of Phoenix Dactylifera Pollen on Sperm Parameters and Reproductive system of Adult Male Rats. Iran J Med Sci December 2006; Vol 31 No 4. http://www.sid.ir/FileServer/JE/85120060407

 

7. Razali N¹,Mohd Nahwari SH¹, Sulaiman S¹, Hassan J². Date fruit consumption at term: Effect on length of gestation, labour and delivery. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2017 Jul;37(5):595-600. doi: 10.1080/01443615.2017.1283304. Epub 2017 Mar 13.

 

8. Berkeley Wellness. Types of Dates. University of California. Published September 17, 2015. http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food/article/types-dates

 

9. Fiona S. Atkinson, RD, Kaye Foster-Powell, RD, Jennie C. Brand-Miller, PHD. International Tables of Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Values: 2008. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care 2008 Dec; 31(12): 2281-2283. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/31/12/2281

 

10. Maria Cannarozzi. Superfoods for Super Health. University of Central Florida. College of Medicine. Released February 16, 2015. https://med.ucf.edu/news/superfoods-for-super-health/

 

11. Kaye Foster-PowellSusanna HA Holt Janette C Brand-Miller. International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2002. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 76, Issue 1, 1 July 2002, Pages 5–56,https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/76.1.5

 

12. Metab Ali AlGeffari,^aEbtehal Solaiman Almogbel,^a Homaidan Turki Alhomaidan,^a Ragab El-Mergawi,^b Issam Alsaed Barrimah. Glycemic indices, glycemic load and glycemic response for seventeen varieties of dates grown in Saudi Arabia. Annals of Saudi Medicine. Volume 36, Issue 6, November-Dember 2016. http://www.annsaudimed.net/index.php/vol36/vol36iss6/960.html

 

13. American Diabetes Association. Recipes for Healthy Eating.

       http://www.diabetes.org/mfa-recipes/about-our-meal-plans.html